NBA Betting? Hornets vs Suns Predictions
Early season NBA betting action sees the Charlotte Hornets taking on the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Nov. 14 at the US Airway Center. Cappers Picks provides free NBA handicapping tips all season long.
NBA Picks
Charlotte Hornets (3-5) vs. Phoenix Suns (5-3)
Friday, Nov. 14
9:00 p.m. ET
US Airways Center
TV: Local
NBA Betting Lines: Suns -5
NBA Betting Total: 202.5
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Charlotte
“Streaks” have been the theme of the season for the Charlotte Hornets. After winning the first game of the year to Milwaukee (108-106 in overtime), the team lost its next three. Following the drought, it won two straight against the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks.
Unfortunately for fans, the team is once again on a two-game losing streak, which is where we find ourselves entering Friday’s contest against the Phoenix Suns.
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So will Charlotte break one streak and start another? That depends on how well it can defend.
So far this season, the Hornets are 15th in points per game allowed (98.8). The bad news is that they’re giving up too many points, but the good news is that their defensive efficiency is top 10.
Putting the ball in the basket is an obvious necessity, but it will come naturally against the Suns. Stopping them, however, is where the focus must be if the team hopes to find success.
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Phoenix
The Suns are fourth in the NBA in terms of points per game. They score 104.8 points per contest, and they do it with six players scoring in double figures through eight games.
Defense, however, is a problem. The team is giving up 103.4 points per contest, which is only good enough for 26th in the Association.
Stopping the Hornets’ offensive attack will come down to containing Al Jefferson. The big man is scoring 22.6 points per game, and he’s doing it on 19.6 shots per game.
Kemba Walker will be the other focal point for Phoenix’s defense, and Gary Neal will be the only true threat from downtown for the Hornets.
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NBA Handicapping Trends:
- Suns are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
- Suns are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
- Suns are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
- Suns are 39-16-1 ATS in their last 56 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Hornets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
- Hornets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
4* NBA Prediction: Phoenix -5
When it comes down to it, the Phoenix Suns are playing like a top-10 team in the NBA right now. Simply put: The Charlotte Hornets are not.
None of that is to say that Charlotte can’t turn things around, but don’t expect it to be this early in the year on the road against Phoenix. Recent betting trends favor Phoenix in this one, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly at this point in the process.
Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.
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